(May 11, 2012) The Curtis Symphony Orchestra embarks on a European tour in May to open the famed Dresden Music Festival, one of the city's distinctive cultural institutions. For over 30 years, renowned orchestras, great soloists, and celebrated ensembles have come to Dresden during two weeks in May and June to perform at some of the most beautiful venues in its historic center and surroundings and fill the city with music.

The Curtis Symphony Orchestra brings its signature youthful exuberance to the May 15 opening-night concert with conductor Robert Spano ('85) and soloists Ray Chen ('10), violin, and Jan Vogler, cello. The all-Brahms program includes the Academic Festival Overture, Symphony No. 2, and the composer's Double Concerto. Organist Nathan Laube ('09) makes a special appearance performing Brahms preludes before each half of the concert.

A chamber music marathon in a one-of-a-kind glass space follows on May 17. Curtis students perform at the Volkswagen Die Gläserne Manufaktur ("Transparent Factory"), a unique tourist attraction, concert venue, and working factory in the heart of Dresden. For over four and a half hours, audiences will have the opportunity to hear chamber music in various combinations, from German masterworks by Beethoven and Brahms to compositions by Curtis students.

The orchestra's final concert on May 18 features a remarkable collaboration with choreographer Royston Maldoom and children from Dresden's schools. An advocate of community dance--the idea that anybody can dance, regardless of perceived talent, experience, age, color, ethnicity or social background--Royston Maldoom will work with the students, preparing them to perform alongside the orchestra during Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. The program also includes celebrated American composers, with works by Curtis graduates David Ludwig ('01) and Leonard Bernstein ('41).

Join the journey and stay updated on the sights, sounds, and musical experiences of the students at www.curtis.edu/Postcards.

Grounded in a rich heritage and based in Philadelphia, the Curtis Institute of Music embraces forward-thinking initiatives that take it around the globe, with international tours and alumni performing worldwide. In addition to the Curtis Symphony Orchestra's Dresden performances, a smaller touring ensemble, Curtis On Tour, travels throughout North America and Europe each year, bringing the extraordinary artistry of the Curtis Institute of Music to wide-ranging audiences. In 2011 Curtis On Tour journeyed to Asia for the first time, performing in Beijing, Shanghai, and Seoul.

Following the orchestra's appearances in Dresden, the Curtis On Tour in Europe ensemble will travel to Germany, Spain, and Italy. Stops along the way include public concerts at Berlin's Philharmonie (May 29, 1 p.m.), the American Academy in Berlin (May 29, 7 p.m.), and Auditori Teulada-Moraira Infanta Leonor in Teulada, Spain (May 26). Private performances will take place in Berlin (May 20); the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Rome (May 24); the Palazzo Colonna in Rome (May 25); and Teulada, Spain near Valencia (May 27).

Curtis alumni can also be found in leading orchestras, opera houses, and chamber music series worldwide and have had a disproportionate impact on the classical music world, coming from a small school where the annual acceptance rate hovers around 5 percent.

The Curtis Symphony Orchestra has been praised for its "otherworldly ensemble and professional level of sophistication" (New York Times). The orchestra presents three concerts annually under the direction of eminent conductors in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, and recent visiting conductors include Charles Dutoit, Simon Rattle, Robert Spano, and Michael Tilson Thomas. This professional training, under the direction of Otto-Werner Mueller and David Hayes, has enabled Curtis alumni to assume prominent positions in America's leading orchestras, as well as ensembles around the world.

The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level. One of the world's leading conservatories, Curtis is highly selective and provides full-tuition scholarships to all of its 161 students. In this intimate environment, students receive personalized attention from a celebrated faculty. A busy schedule of performances is at the heart of Curtis's distinctive "learn by doing" approach. This philosophy has produced an impressive number of notable artists since the school's founding in 1924, from such legends as Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber to current stars Jonathan Biss, Juan Diego Flórez, Alan Gilbert, Hilary Hahn, Jennifer Higdon, and Lang Lang.

Dresden Music Festival: Chamber Music Marathon
Members of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Thursday, May 17, 6 to 10 p.m.Volkswagen Die Gläserne Manufaktur ("Transparent Factory")
Members of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra